The LGBTQ community in Greater Moncton continues to grieve in response to yesterday’s tragic shooting in Orlando.
49 people were killed in a gay nightclub, and over 50 others were injured, and officials fear the death tool could rise. The gunman was then shot down by police.
The Spokesperson for River of Pride says many gay people still live in fear, even in Canada.
Charles MacDougall says for now their community is expressing sadness, and are offering support to the family and friends of the victims, but once the grieving is over, it’s important that they come together, get angry to find ways to prevent this fromom happening again. “We do live in a society, that sadly, is still homophobic and transphobic. There is still a lot of discrimination, and overt discrimination that happens here in Canada and around the world, ” he says.
MacDougall believes it will take time to recover from these tragic shooting events in Orlando, “I think everyone was taken down a notch, about how they felt when it came to safety. Everybody was shaken up and really wants to be reassured that the safer places we try to create, stay that way. This is definitely a cause for worry.”
MacDougall says those in the gay community who had previously felt safe, now feel fear instead.
A vigil is being held tonight at Riverfront Park in Moncton, starting at 8pm.
